Straight-Up Films to Adapt Richard Morgan’s Black Man

Transcendence producers Kate Cohen and Marisa Polvino have a new science fiction project in the works. The Hollywood Reporter brings word that their Straight-Up Films has acquired the big screen rights to author Richard Morgan’s Black Man (released in North America as “Th1rte3n”). On his official website, Morgan describes the novel as follows:

Carl Marsalis is a traitor, a bringer of death, a genetic freak and an unwelcome reminder of all that is dark in the human psyche  he in every sense of the word a Black Man. And right at the moment hes beyond the UNs juristiction, banged up in a Florida jail for financing an illegal abortion. So when the US police call, Carl cuts a deal.

The 13s are genetically engineered alpha males, designed to fight the centurys last conflicts. But men bred and designed to fight are dangerous to have aroundin peacetime. Many of them have left for Mars, but one has returned. Somehow he survived the journey to Earth, and now a series of brutal slayings has erupted across America. Only Carl can stop him.

And so begins a frenetic man hunt and a battle for survival. And a search for the truth about what was really done with the worlds last soldiers.

Kenny Golde (Walking with the Enemy) is attached to provide the screenplay with Tripp Vinson also producing through Vinson Films. Lisa Zambri will executive produce.